Donald Cerrone Hoping for Homecoming at UFC 150, Lightweight Title Shot in 2012

On Tuesday, fresh off a clear-cut unanimous decision victory over
Jeremy
Stephens at
UFC on Fuel TV 3, the “Cowboy” affirmed that 2012 will be his
year to shine.

“Whoever I have to fight to get the belt, I’ll fight. This is my
year. I want [the title],” Cerrone, 29, told Fox Sports after his
one-sided nod over Stephens at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Va.
“Last year was my rookie year [in the UFC]. Fighting for the belt
[last year would have been] a big deal. Now, I can sit back and
look at what I need to do, and I’m ready.”

Cerrone entered the cage Tuesday night coming off a serious setback
against the surging Nate Diaz, who
decisively out-struck Cerrone Dec. 30 en route to a unanimous
decision. Nearly five months later, Cerrone says that the
experience is by no means behind him.

“It’s not in the rear-view mirror. That wasn’t me. I was off,” said
Cerrone. “I’m not making excuses. He was the better man. He looked
great in his last fight [against Jim Miller].
My hat is off to the dude. He’s really turning the corner in his
career. There’s just a bad taste in my mouth. I really want to
fight him, and I am 100-percent confident that I can beat him.

“Coming off that last fight sucked. Mainly, [tonight] was about
going out there and having fun,” said Cerrone. “It’s hard to make
that transition from [executing techniques in the gym to using them
in a fight].”

Tuesday night was anything but fun for Stephens, who continually
found himself standing on the end of his lanky opponent’s range.
Though Cerrone managed to execute a takedown in the second round,
the Jackson’s MMA representative did not produce the type of
offense on the mat that he was hoping to showcase.

“[Stephens] did exactly what I thought he was going to do, which
was come and stand and brawl. I was able to use my length and move,
and hopefully I used a little more head movement [than in my last
fight],” said Cerrone. “I wanted to take him down and work my
ground [game]. I was looking for a submission. Of course, everyone
likes to see a finish, so I’m kind of upset with myself there. I
wish this training camp could have been a little more in-depth, but
s--- happens.”

Cerrone’s training time was limited after contracting a staph
infection in his knee that required him to visit the emergency
room. Additionally, Cerrone had an intestinal ailment which caused
him to return to the hospital and spend several days in the
intensive care unit. Though Cerrone decided to keep his fight date,
he says his training partner, best friend and housemate Leonard
Garcia advised him to withdraw.

“It was hard for me to stomach that, when [Garcia] was with me in
the hospital telling me not to take the fight. I asked myself, ‘Am
I ready for this? Can I go 100 percent?’ Those are the little
things that you say don’t make a big difference, but they do,” said
Cerrone. “Six days in the ICU was kind of rough, and then to get
out and have only two weeks to train [was not ideal].”

Despite his medical concerns leading up to the bout, Cerrone says
he was at full strength for his fight with Stephens. His fifth
Octagon win now official, the Colorado native hopes to compete Aug.
11 at UFC
150 in Denver. While Cerrone did not call out anyone by name,
the lightweight did not shy away when asked about a potential
pairing with former WEC champion Anthony
Pettis.

“I don’t care [who I fight]. I just want to fight in Denver.
Whoever is champing at the bit, come on,” said Cerrone. “[If
offered], I’d like to fight Anthony [Pettis]. He comes to fight.
Stylistically, it would be a good matchup.”